Leticia Castillo — Leticia Castillo is referenced twice in the same brief exchange: first, the speaker thanks Vice Chair Castillo for her remarks, and then the witness addresses Vice Chair Castillo in opening remarks.
Leticia Castillo — Was thanked by the speaker and addressed in the exchange about tasting the food.
AB685 — The speaker noted that AB 685, described as a small business resiliency and innovation bill, passed out of the Assembly.
AB685 — The speaker says they strongly support AB 685 and views it as a template.
Kristen Johnson — Kristen Johnson, the regional director of Northern California SBDC, is introduced and then begins her testimony by greeting the chair, vice chair, members of the committee, and staff.
Pat Nye — Introduced as the regional director of Los Angeles SBDC.
Ernesto Delgado — Introduced as the founder of Tequila Museo Mayol.
Joey Galloway — Introduced as the owner and entrepreneur from Mariposa Junction.
Joey Galloway — Joey Galloway is introduced as the next witness and then begins his testimony by identifying himself as a Pasadena resident who was raised in Altadena until age 14, setting up his personal background.
AB2019 — Referenced as a mandate the speaker said the state is helping meet through small business procurement efforts.
Pat — The speaker is thanked by name, indicating the end of Pat's testimony.
Pat — Pat is discussed as part of a continuous acknowledgment of the organization’s work and the panelists’ contributions. The speaker notes that Pat did a good job highlighting the work done during the pandemic and fires, and then includes Pat among the panelists being thanked for sharing their experiences and impact.
Don Lowell — Connected with the family through the Pasadena Small Business Development Center and met with them multiple times to help identify practical solutions.
Don Lowell — Described as a helpful contact who could be called or emailed for support.
Justine Gonzalez — Worked with Don Lowell and met with the family and affected business owners multiple times.
Mr. Ernestal — The speaker thanks him; likely the restaurant owner or representative being introduced.
Scott Grodolsky — One of the people who helped the speaker access resources and support.
Steve Roth — One of the people who helped the speaker access resources and support.
Oscar Garcia — One of the people who helped the speaker access resources and support.
Scott — One of the contacts the speaker still reaches out to for help.
Oscar — One of the contacts the speaker still reaches out to for help.
Esmeralda Soria — Raised questions about immigration enforcement and its impact on immigrant-owned businesses.
Esmeralda Soria — Asked about immigration enforcement, immigrant-owned businesses, and whether access to services and funding has dropped since the Trump administration took over.
Esmeralda Soria — Emphasized the importance of access to services in a rural community and asked what is being done proactively to reassure entrepreneurs.
Esmeralda Soria — Asked whether existing programs can help businesses affected by wildfires and floods, especially those not eligible for FEMA.
Mr. Galloway — Referenced as an example of someone affected by the Los Angeles crisis response.
Robert Rivas — Addressed by the speaker while urging continued work on disaster support for small businesses.
David Alvarez — Thanked for her questions; the speaker referenced her district concerns and ongoing issues affecting communities.
David Alvarez — Referenced as 'Assembly Member Soria' in the transcript context is likely a transcription error; the excerpt says 'Assembly Member Soria' but the member list does not include Soria. This mention is left as questionable and not corrected to a member ID.
Darshana Patel — Acknowledged as a committee member who joined the meeting and as the incoming education chair.
Darshana Patel — Referenced as having asked questions about a funding mechanism for disaster-related needs.
Darshana Patel — Darshana Patel thanked the witnesses and referenced her prior visit to Dr. Chala’s facility, then asked how typical the success stories are and how SBDC’s reach could be expanded. She continued by noting that innovators often lack business and legal expertise, emphasizing the need for an independent advocate, and asked about the common roadblocks and barriers they encounter. The exchange concluded with thanks to Dr. Patel for her comments on barriers and regulatory burdens.
Darshana Patel — A committee member identified as Dr. Patel says they have no further questions and thanks the panelists.
former business owner / mayor — Described as a former business owner who became mayor and now champions SBDC to other business owners.
Dean — Thanked as part of the panelists sharing their experiences.
Kristen — Thanked as part of the panelists sharing their experiences.
Kristen — Referenced as having made an earlier point on the first panel about the capital infusion program.
Mark Klopp — Introduced as a tech consultant in Northern California SBDC and upcoming panelist.
Danny Fitzgerald — Introduced as Executive Director of the San Diego Imperial SBDC network and upcoming panelist.
Ravi Chala — Introduced as founder of Chakra Technologies and upcoming panelist.
Mark — Began testimony on early startup struggles and the 'valley of death' for startups.
Dr. Oriana Bridginger — Dr. Oriana Bridginger is introduced as an SBDC client who has worked with the SBDC since 2017, won a pitch competition last year, is based in Escondido, California, and has developed technology to clean industrial wastewater.
Mr. Chala — Introduces Chakra Tech and explains its circular-economy mission and his role at UC San Diego.
Dr. Chala — Dr. Chala testified about his background as a chemical engineer from India and how exposure to plastic waste inspired his work on converting greenhouse gases into biodegradable plastics. He explained that California’s plastic waste problem and the gap in implementation left by SB 54 made the technology especially relevant. He described developing the idea at Scripps Research in San Diego and needing help turning it into a company, which he received through SBDC and its Entrepreneurial Track. He credited SBDC advisors with helping on marketing, customer discovery, company structure, investor strategy, and avoiding business pitfalls. He also noted that this support helped his startup secure a Fortune 500 contract, letters of intent, and a grant that enabled hiring interns and part-time employees, leading him to train dozens of people in high-tech jobs. He concluded by saying he is still in the early ‘valley of death’ stage but is grateful for SBDC support and urged continued support for the innovation ecosystem SBDC creates.
SBDC representative — The SBDC representative explained that roughly 10% to 20% of clients, depending on the year, are innovative, high-growth businesses across many industries, and that the SBDC helps hundreds or thousands of these businesses each year across California.
Mike Daniel — Mike Daniel, the regional director for Orange County and the Inland Empire with the SBDC Network, is introduced and then begins his testimony by thanking the chair and assembly members and discussing access to capital and how the SBDC helps businesses obtain it.
Melanie Shelby — Introduced as the founder and CEO of Primos Beverage Company.
Susie Prior — Introduced as the executive director of Central California and SBDC Network.
Ms. Shelby — Ms. Shelby thanked the committee and SBDC, introduced herself and Primos Beverage Company, and then described her entrepreneurial journey: growing the business, selling thousands of bottles through many distribution points, and reflecting on an earlier failed venture before founding a tequila business she self-funded for two years. She concluded by saying she wished she had access to a distillery partner to better understand U.S. distribution and production, and suggested that partnerships and tax credits could help solo entrepreneurs.
Primos Beverage Company — Her company, launched in January 2024, described as a luxury sipping tequila brand with no additives.